Page 66 - ASOP ROT Study Guide

9 . 7 Nerve Supply
The nerve supply to die upper limb comes from the neck region. The nerves are distributed via the
brachial plexus in the neck and passed to their appropriate muscle groups. The brachial plexus
is a region where several nerves make cross connections with each other. The major peripheral
nerves of the upper limb are:
♦ the median nerve which supplies the flexor muscles in the forearm and controls the thumb.
♦ the ulnar nerve which supplies some of the flexor muscles in the forearm and controls the

other small muscles in the hand.
♦ the radial nerve which controls the extensors of the hand and wrist.
♦ the musculocutaneous nerve which supplies the flexor muscles of the arm.

10. THE ELBOW JOINT

10 . 1 General Structure
The elbow joint is formed by the distal surface of the humerus and the proximal articular surfaces
of the forearm bones, the radius and ulna (illustrated below).
There are three components to the joint:
1. The joint between the distal humerus and the proximal ulna is a uniaxial hinge joint. The

bobbin-shaped trochlea of the humerus articulates with the trochlear notch in the olecranon
process (illustrated below) of the proximal ulna.
2. The joint between the distal humerus and the proximal radius is an example of a uniaxial pivot
joint.
3. The rotation of the radius on the distal humerus is facilitated by a joint between the
proximal radius and the ulna to which it is bound by a ligamentous sling.

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